Methods, apparatus and systems for smartcard factory

ABSTRACT

An embodiment generally relates to a method of managing tokens. The method includes detecting a presence of a token at a client and determining a status of the token. The method also includes formatting the token at the client in response to the status of the token being unformatted.

FIELD

This invention relates generally to tokens, more particularly, to methods, apparatus, and systems for fabricating smartcards.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Smart cards are storage devices with components to facilitate communication with a reader or coupler. They have file system configurations and the ability to be partitioned into public and private spaces that can be made available or locked. They also have segregated areas for protected information, such as certificates, e-purses, and entire operating systems. In addition to traditional data storage states, such as read-only and read/write, some vendors are working with sub-states best described as “add only” and “update only.”

Smart cards are a way to increase security especially for enterprise systems. Enterprise system often contain valuable information such as financial data, personnel records, strategies, etc., that may be critical for the entity administrating the enterprise system. Moreover, for at least the reasons described above, smart cards may offer a mechanism to control access to data within the enterprise systems. Accordingly, the reasons to use smart card are plentiful.

An information technology administrator may be charged with providing these smart cards for an enterprise. The administrator typically searches for a vendor to provide the smart cards and then work with the vendor to receive pre-formatted smart cards. This process may involve a significant resources. e.g., time, man-hours, etc., to accomplish. Another conventional method of obtaining formatted smart cards is for the administrator to purchase a device that formats the smart cards. These devices are expensive and may not be have a high return on investment for a small number of employees. Accordingly, there is a need for a mechanism to format smart cards without incurring a significant cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features of the embodiments can be more fully appreciated, as the same become better understood with reference to the following detailed description of the embodiments when considered in connection with the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary token management system in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram in accordance with yet another embodiment; and

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary computing platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments generally relate to systems, apparatus, and methods for formatting tokens, such as smartcards. More specifically, a factory module in an enterprise security system may be configured to format the tokens. The factory module may be configured to detect the presence of a generic, uncustomized smartcard in a smartcard reader associated with a client. The factory module may then customize the generic smartcard according to the requirements for a specified enterprise using the smartcard reader. Accordingly, a security officer does not need to order customized smartcards from a third pary manufacturer.

For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the principles of the present invention are described by referring mainly to exemplary embodiments thereof. However, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize that the same principles are equally applicable to, and can be implemented in, all types of secure computing systems, and that any such variations do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, ill the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying figures, which illustrate specific embodiments. Electrical, mechanical, logical and structural changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary secure system 100 in accordance with an embodiment. It should be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the system 100 depicted in FIG. 1 represents a generalized schematic illustration and that other components may be added or existing components may be removed or modified. Moreover, the system 100 may be implemented using software components, hardware components, or combinations thereof.

As shown in FIG. 1, the secure system 100 includes a server 105, clients 110 and a local network 115. The server 105 may be a computing machine or platform configured to execute a token management system 120 through a multiple user operating system (not shown) in conjunction with the clients 110. For example, in order to assist in the formatting and customization of a token or smartcard, server 105 may maintain a database having information relating to: a serial number for each token or smartcard; a date that each token or smartcard was formatted and customized; an applet version installed on each token or smartcard; and a secure channel key identifier. The server 105 may be implemented with server platforms as known to those skilled in the art from Intel, Advanced Micro Devices, Hewlett-Packard, Dell, etc.

The server 105 may interact with the clients over the local network 115. The local network 115 may be a local area network implementing an established network protocol such as Ethernet, token ring, FDDI, etc. The local network 115 provides a communication channel for the server 105 and clients 10 to exchange data and commands.

The clients 110 may be computing machine or platform configured to execute secure and open applications through the multi-user operating system. The clients 110 may be implemented with personal computers, workstations, thin clients, thick clients, or other similar computing platform. The clients 110 may use operating systems such as Linux, Windows, Macintosh or other available operating system.

Each client 110 may be configured to interface with a security device 125. The security device 125 may be configured to act as a gatekeeper to the client 10. More particularly, a user may use a security token, such as a smart card, to access the respective client 110. Each client 110 may have a security client 130 executing to monitor the security device 125.

The security client 130 may be configured to manage the token. More specifically, the security client 130 may enroll the token, recover keys for the token or reset a personal identification number for the token. The security client 130 may also be configured to interface with the token management system 120 and act as a proxy for application program data units (APDUs) between the token management system 120 and the token. The security client 130 may be further configured to display user interfaces as the token management system 120 directs, i.e., prompting the user for credentials and/or PIN, displaying token status.

The token management system 120 comprises several modules, as depicted in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows an exemplary architecture of the token management system 120 in accordance with another embodiment. It should be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the token management system 120 depicted in FIG. 2 represents a generalized schematic illustration and that other components may be added or existing components may be removed or modified. Moreover, the token management system 120 may be implemented using software components, hardware components, or combinations thereof.

As shown in FIG. 2, the token management system 120 includes a token processing system (labeled as TPS in FIG. 2) 205, a token key service (TKS) module 210, a data recovery manager (DRM) module 215 and a certificate authority (CA) module 220. The TPS 205 may be configured to act as a registration authority. The TPS 205 may direct the enrollment process. The TPS 205 may also be configured to act as a gateway between security clients 130 and tokens and the modules of the token management system 120.

The TKS module 210 may be configured to maintain master keys for the tokens. The TKS module 210 may also store symmetric keys associated with the token. These keys may be derived from a single master key combined with smart card serial number or identification number, i.e., the CID. The manufacturer of the smart card may store these symmetric keys onto the token. The manufacturer may also forward the single master key to the administrator of the token management system 120, who installs the key into the TKS module 210.

The DRM module 215 may be configured to maintain a database of encrypted subject's private keys, which can be recovered oil demand by an appropriate process.

The CA module 220 may be configured to generate X.509 certificates in response to received subject public key information and certificate enrollment requests.

Returning to FIG. 1, the client 110 may also execute a factory module 135. The factory module 135 may be configured to interface with the security client 130. In some embodiments, the factory module 135 may be invoiced as a menu option or a command line prompt. In other embodiments, the factory module 135 may execute in the background until an unformatted token is detected in the security device 125.

Once invoked the factory module 135 may gather the information necessary to format the smart card so that it is customized to an enterprise. For example, formatting may comprise installing applets onto the smartcard, creating security domains, creating applet instances, creating a data area that is read when the smartcard is first inserted by a user (which would then initiate a further personalization or customization phase), and replacing “answer to reset” (or “ATR”) codes with a new code that is allocated by the enterprise. Formatting may also comprise replacing the cryptographic authentication keys or encryption keys with new ones which are specific to an enterprise. Formatting may also include information such as shared users lists, group assignments, access lists, etc. The factory module 135 may then use the security device 125 to format and customize the inserted token in accordance to the gathered format information. Accordingly, an administrator can purchase generic unformatted smart cards and format in-house without incurring a large cost for a smart card formatter.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram 300 in accordance with an embodiment. It should be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the flow diagram 300 depicted in FIG, 3 represents a generalized schematic illustration and that other steps may be added or existing steps may be removed or modified.

As shown in FIG. 3, in step 305, the factory module 135 may detect the presence of a token, in step 305. More particularly, the security client 130 may pass a notification to the factory module 305 of the presence of the token. The security client 130 may also pass tile status of the token to the factory module 130, in step 310.

If the factory module 135 determines that the status is formatted, in step 315, the factory module 135 may allow the log-on process continue with the security client 130, in step 320. Otherwise, if the factory module 135 determines that the status of the token is unformatted, the factory module 135 may be configured to determine format information for the token. For example, the factory module 135 may signal the security client 130 requesting information of the intended user such as access lists, group access, file access, etc.

In step 330, the factory module 135 may be configured to format the token using the security device 125. One the format process is completed, the factory module 135 may notify the completion of the formatting of the token.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing platform 400 where an embodiment may be practiced. The functions of the security client and token management system may be implemented in program code and executed by the computing platform 400. The security client and token management system may be implemented in computer languages such as PASCAL, C, C++, JAVA, etc.

As shown in FIG. 4, the computer system 400 includes one or more processors, such as processor 402 that provide an execution platform for embodiments of the security client and token management system. Commands and data from the processor 402 are communicated over a communication bus 404. The computer system 400 also includes a main memory 406, such as a Random Access Memory (RAM), where the security client and token management system may be executed during runtime, and a secondary memory 408. The secondary memory 408 includes, for example, a hard disk drive 410 and/or a removable storage drive 412, representing a floppy diskette drive, a magnetic tape drive, a compact disk drive, etc., where a copy of a computer program embodiment for the security client and token management system may be stored. The removable storage drive 412 reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit 414 in a well-known manner. A user interfaces with the security client and token management system with a keyboard 416, a mouse 418, and a display 420. A display adapter 422 interfaces with the communication bus 404 and die display 420. The display adapter also receives display data from the processor 402 and converts the display data into display commands for the display 420.

Certain embodiments may be performed as a computer program. The computer program may exist in a variety of forms both active and inactive. For example, the computer program can exist as software program(s) comprised of program instructions in source code, object code, executable code or other formats; firmware program(s); or hardware description language (HDL) files. Any of the above can be embodied on a computer readable medium, which include storage devices and signals, in compressed or uncompressed form. Exemplary computer readable storage devices include conventional computer system RAM (random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), EPROM (erasable, programmable ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable, programmable ROM), and magnetic or optical disks or tapes. Exemplary computer readable signals, whether modulated using a carrier or not, are signals that a computer system hosting or running the present invention can be configured to access, including signals downloaded through the Internet or other networks. Concrete examples of the foregoing include distribution of executable software program(s) of the computer program on a CD-ROM or via Internet download. In a sense, the Internet itself, as an abstract entity, is a computer readable medium. The same is true of computer networks in general,

While the invention has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications to the described embodiments without departing from the true spirit and scope. The terms and descriptions used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. In particular, although the method has been described by examples, the steps of the method may be performed in a different order than illustrated or simultaneously. Those skilled in the art will recognize that these and other variations are possible within the spirit and scope as defined in the following claims and their equivalents. 

1. A method of generating tokens, the method comprising: detecting a presence of a token at a client; determining a status of the token; and formatting the token at the client in response to the status of the token being unformatted.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a format information for the token; and embedding the format information on the token.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a notification of a completion of the formatting of the token.
 4. An apparatus comprising means to implement the method of claim
 1. 5. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim
 1. 6. A system for managing tokens, the system comprising: a server configured to execute a token management systems, wherein the token management system is configured to manage and maintain tokens; and a client configured to couple with the server and function as a proxy for the token management system, wherein the client is configured to detect the presence of a token and determine a status of the token and a factory module executing on the client, wherein the factory module is configured to detect an un-formatted token and request the server to format the token in response to a status of the token being un-formatted.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the factory module is configured to determine format information for the token and write the format information on the token.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein the factory module is configured to provide a notification of a completion of the formatting of the token.
 9. An apparatus, comprising: an interface adapted to receive a token; and a factory module configured to couple with the interface, wherein the factory module is configured to detect a presence of a token, determine a status of the token and format the token at the client in response to the status of the token being unformatted.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the factory module is further configured to determine a format information for the token and embed the format information on the token.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the factory module is further configured to provide a notification of a completion of the formatting of the token. 